Historical Developments in Animal Biotechnology Animal biotechnology has a rich history, dating back thousands of years. While modern techniques have accelerated advancements, the fundamental principles of manipulating animal genetics for specific purposes have been practiced for centuries. Early Domestication and Selective Breeding (8000 BCE) Domestication: Humans began domesticating animals like dogs, sheep, and cattle, selecting traits that were beneficial for their needs. Selective Breeding: This practice involved breeding animals with desired characteristics to produce offspring with those traits, leading to the development of various breeds. Artificial Insemination (1784) Early Attempts: Italian scientist Lazzaro Spallanzani conducted experiments in the late 18th century, successfully impregnating a dog using artificial insemination. Commercial Adoption: Artificial insemination became more widely used in the 20th century, especially in agriculture, to i...